SAN ANGELO, Texas - It was a hard fought 40 minutes of basketball for Adams State in day two of the Angelo State Thanksgiving Tournament but they came up just short for the second time in as many days. The Grizzlies fell to the host Rams, 82-93, on Saturday night.
Adams State (0-5) and Angelo State (5-1) went back-and-forth in the first half to keep things interesting and close. The second half was the same way for the most part until a late run by the Rams in final six minutes came a large enough lead to hold on for the win.
Neither team managed to create separation in the first 20 minutes of action, with the largest lead being five points by the Grizzlies on two occasions.
The first came at the 7:29 mark when Justice Augmon hit a jump shot in the paint to give the Grizzlies lead a 26-21 lead. The second was on jumper in the paint yet again this time from John Dewey to make it 28-23 with 6:37 to play.
Despite the up and down affair between the two teams, the game was at a one-point differential in favor of the Grizzlies going into the halftime break, 38-37. Both teams were tied in almost every scoring category, but the Grizzlies held a 22-14 advantage with points in the paint.
Defensively, Adams State did hold Angelo State to 38.71% shooting and posted a 48.39 shooting percentage. The second half was a different story shooting wise. The Rams shot a blistering 52.63%, while Grizzlies were held 33.33%.
The late surge from the Rams after the Grizzlies grabbed a 69-68 lead after Davere Creighton hit a pair of free throws with 9:01 to play in regulation. The Rams responded with a 15-2 run that put them out in front 83-71 with 4:48 play in the game.
The Rams run was too much for the Grizzlies to overcome as they fell by nine. The second half shooting struggles put the Grizzlies at 41% for the night, while the Rams shot 46.4%. The Rams bench was a big lift for them as they put up 31 points to Grizzlies 20.
Dewey put together another all-around performance with a game-high 29 points on 7-of-16 shooting. He was an even 50% from three-point range (4-of-8) and also dished out three assists. Rickey Norris was the only other double-digit scorer with 21 points on an 8-of-12 shooting performance. He also led the team in rebounds with eight.
Four from Angelo State posted double-digit points led by 28 from Daron Mims. Collin Turner added 17 points, while Antonio Singleton added 13 in the comeback win. Ronald Bell added 10 points to round out the double figure night for the Rams.
The Grizzlies will look to end their skid next Saturday, Dec. 1 when they return home Plachy Hall Gym. they will play host to the Fort Lewis Skyhawks to open RMAC play. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.
